Delicious Egyptian Koshari is the national dish of Egypt. This interesting combo of carbs on carbs on carbs with all the fixings is delicious and the most favorite dish we had in Cairo. It’s got spiced lentils, rice, vermicelli, pasta, chickpeas, topped with spicy tomato sauce and fried onions, SO GOOD!
Koshari (also spelled, Kushari) is both the street food and Egypt’s national dish, also known to be at least a thousand years old. This starch fest of a dish is made out of lentils, rice and has a spicy tangy kick. It came about when someone fell in love with the Indian dish, kichadi made with lentils and rice. You can find this at any street corner in Cairo.
“If you go to Cairo and not have Koshari, it’s like going to South India and not having Idli sambar”.
Kushari was originally sold as street food before becoming the crown jewel of brick and mortar shops all over Egypt—in fact, the late Anthony Bourdain, always a champion of quirky culinary gems, once shot an episode in Egypt where he enjoyed kushari from one of the most famous restaurants in Cairo. We were lucky to be dining at a local favorite Abou Tarek, where the Koshari is famous. Sold for pennies, a it’s a hearty vegan meal made with lentil rice, pasta, chickpeas, vinegar tomato sauce, and topped with fried onions. Perhaps unsurprising once you see the ingredient list, three different countries each contributed a piece of the culinary puzzle: India is behind the rice, lentils, and chickpeas; Italians working in the restaurants of Egypt added pasta and tomato sauce and Egyptians themselves topped it all off with those crispy onions and a bright, vinegary sauce to tie it all together. “It’s three different cultures all together in one meal.” Perhaps that’s why I love it so much.
It’s a culture overload along with sensory overload.…
